Pak-India talks on reduction of Chenab water flow remained inconclusive here on Friday while Islamabad has conveyed its concerns over the loss of water to Pakistan. Talking to newsmen after the talks Pakistan Indus Water Commissioner Jamaat Ali Shah said Pakistan projected its point of view on water reduction at Head Marala and loss of 0.2 million acres feet of water but differences remained there.
Both sides exchanged information on the issue during the talks. India will collect more data on reduction of water flow due to filling of Baglihar dam recently.
However, he said process of talks would continue. Since he visited Baglihar Dam site a few days back, Indian Water Commissioner G. Ranganathan will soon visit Head Marala on Chenab River in Pakistan to ascertain the level of water flow. This suggestion was forwarded by the Indian side and Pakistan has agreed to it, he said. Jamaat Ali Shah said Pakistan wants implementation of provisions of Indus Water Treaty in letter and spirit. On return he will submit a comprehensive report to the government on the talks.
A six-member delegation headed by Syed Jamaat Ali Shah represented Pakistan at the talks while Indian Water Commissioner G Ranganathan led his team to the special parleys. After inspection of the dam site in Jammu a few days ago, Syed Jamaat Ali Shah had said under the Indus Basin Treaty minimum of 55000 cusecs water should flow to Pakistan at Marala Headwork at peak season but it received about 22000 cusecs which affected Kharif crops in Pakistan. This is a breach of Indus Basin Treaty as Pakistan has exclusive right over Chenab water, he said adding Pakistan wants compensation of the loss it suffered due to blockade.
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